How to Spend 3 Days in Los Angeles

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With three days in sunny Los Angeles, there’s time to experience all of the city’s top attractions, from celebrity homes and Hollywood studio tours to theme parks, beaches, and day trips to nearby California destinations. Here are some top options for three days in Los Angeles.

Day 1: Los Angeles Highlights

Immerse yourself in all things Los Angeles on the first day of your stay. Begin with a sightseeing tour of the city; options range from Hollywood and celebrity home tours to haunting history and true crime tours. The hop-on hop-off bus runs along several routes for a self-guided city tour at your own pace.

In the afternoon, spend time at one of LA’s unique attractions. Tour the art collection and landscaped gardens at the Getty Center, see the bubbling tar at La Brea Tar Pits, pay your respects at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, do some window shopping on Rodeo Drive, or hit one of the area beaches. Top it off with cocktails and dinner at one of the city’s gourmet hotel restaurants, an evening dinner cruise, or tickets to a show at the legendary Hollywood Bowl.

Day 2: Theme Parks

Southern California is second only to Orlando when it comes to theme parks. You could easily spend a week hopping from park to park, but with just one day, it’s best to focus on a single park. Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park and studio tour in one, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how movies are made, as well as a chance to step into TV and movie favorites like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or The Simpsons.

In Anaheim, Disneyland and neighboring Disney’s California Adventure are home to Mickey Mouse and friends, plus a huge assortment of attractions suitable for thrill seekers and young kids alike. Animal lovers might opt for a day trip to SeaWorld in San Diego, while adrenaline junkies will appreciate the coasters and thrill rides at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Day 3: California Coast

Los Angeles makes an excellent base for exploring the Southern California coast and beyond, and there’s a day trip option for just about every interest. Head north for a guided tour to sunny Santa Barbara, Solvang, and Hearst Castle; go south to explore the beaches, zoos, and wildlife parks of San Diego; or continue south of the border to Tijuana. Other options include spending the day shopping and sunning in Palm Springs, catching a ferry to Catalina Island, or going whale watching from Newport Beach.

Discover Los Angeles on your own terms thanks to this convenient hop-on, hop-off bus excursion covering the city’s top highlights. Enjoy the sun from the open top of your bus, offering 360-degree vistas of the surrounding landmarks. Best of all, your hop-on, hop-off excursion covers more than 50 locations throughout the city, including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood and downtown L.A. You can also choose between a 24-, 48- and 72-hour ticket options and plenty of convenient departures, thanks to its 365-days-a-year operation schedule.

Feel like a movie star for the day as you explore the Warner Brothers studio lot and get a taste for LA celebrity culture on this 4- to 5-hour excursion. Explore Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, a real working Hollywood studio where you get closer to the entertainment you love. Explore outdoor sets and soundstages where some of the most iconic Film and TV Shows have been filmed such as Ellen, The Big Bang Theory, Pretty Little Liars, La La Land, and Gilmore Girls. Then visit the current or one-time homes of celebrities like Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Ozzy Osbourne, and check out landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, Chateau Marmont and Rodeo Drive. Round-trip hotel transport for morning tour participants is also covered.

Cruise off the coast of Orange County in search of whales on this 2.5-hour excursion from Newport Beach. Watch the rugged, beautiful scenery of the Pacific Coast glide by as you listen to interesting commentary from your crew about the native California marine life. Watch for blows and tail slaps; these signal that humpback, minke, grey, finback or giant blue whales are near. Dolphins and other marine life are also in abundance during this family-friendly, year-round whale watching tour.

Explore the incredible scenery and fascinating history along the Southern and Central California coast on this 12-hour day trip from Los Angeles. Enjoy one of the world’s most picturesque oceanfront drives as you head north, stopping first at Santa Barbara to visit its harbor, gorgeous beaches and historic Spanish Mission. Then see Solvang, a Danish-themed town near Santa Barbara. Finish the day with a visit at the sprawling Hearst Castle, constructed by famed publisher William Randolph Hearst. Your California coastal day trip also includes coach transport, live on-board commentary and Hearst Castle admission.

Discover the sun-drenched city of San Diego on a one day trip from Los Angeles, spending 13 hours exploring the city's top historic and scenic sights. Check out the coastal area of La Jolla, step on board the aircraft carrier USS Midway and explore the beautiful surroundings of Coronado Island. You'll also have time to wander through the Old Town of San Diego and shop for souvenirs at the Bazaar Del Mundo, a market offering goods from around the world. This Los Angeles to San Diego excursion also includes coach transport and live commentary during your visit.

Discover all that Palm Springs has to offer, including stunning desert scenery, luxe celebrity homes and high-end shopping, during this 12-hour day trip from Los Angeles. Ascend into the mountains above town on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, enjoying the amazing landscape below. Then check out the unique flora and fauna at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Finish your day by admiring the exclusive celebrity homes along El Paseo and search for a few designer bargains at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Your trip also includes transport by air-conditioned coach, a guide, Palm Springs city tour, and entrance fees.

Try a taste of Catalina Island on this 3-hour culinary walking tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll travel along the iconic waterfront architecture, passing the famous Casino Building, and learn about the cultural and culinary history as you go. You’ll stop at six local hotspots to sample fresh seafood, sweets and other traditional Catalina foods. This small-group tour is limited to 16 people for a more intimate experience.

Enjoy the ultimate movie-lover’s experience at Universal Studios Hollywood, the world’s largest combination film studio and theme park, with this general admission ticket. Get a behind-the-scenes look at film production during the park’s world-famous studio tour. When you need to take a break from the fun, dining, shopping, and nightlife options are at the waiting at Universal CityWalk®.

Uncover something amazing during your L.A. visit with this admission ticket to the city’s famous La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Explore the bubbling tar pools that harbor a wealth of amazing Ice Age specimens like mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, ground sloths. Then head inside the museum to explore the beautifully-preserved fossils of these ancient creatures and watch paleontologists hard at work cleaning and preserving their recent finds.

Commune with the ghosts of Los Angeles past during this 2-hour guided walking tour celebrating the haunted history of the city’s downtown. This sun-drenched California city may seem like nothing but good times and care-free vibes, but it harbors a wealth of dark secrets. Discover the dark side of the City of Angels as told through its most infamous murders, unsolved crimes and baffling mysteries. As you walk you’ll learn about highlights like the Chinatown Massacre of 1871, the L.A. Times bombing, the tale of the Black Dahlia and more.